Comparison

Interval Timer Alarm vs Periodic Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Interval Timer Alarm

This free productivity app provides customizable interval timers with repeating alarms and vibrations. It's designed for various uses like study sessions, interval training, and time management, ensuring continuous operation even on lock screens.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval timers
  • Repeating alarms and vibrations
  • Notes for each interval
  • Two sound types
  • Optional seconds count sound
  • Background operation
Features
Read full description

A simple interval timer free app with a one-line notes that repeats alarms and vibrations a specified number of times at fixed time intervals specified in minutes and seconds. You can switch between two types of sounds and select the presence or absence of a seconds count sound. Does not sleep during operation, does not operate on sleep screen / lock screen / background. For Kleperin test, muscle training exercise, presentation practice, talk time management.

About

Periodic Timer

This app provides a simple, repeating interval timer that can run in the background without distracting you. It offers customizable alerts, quick start options, and prevents your screen from locking while active. Ideal for various activities like fitness, cooking, and learning.

Highlights
  • Repeating interval timer
  • Background operation
  • Customizable alerts (vibration/sound)
  • Prevent lockscreen
  • Shake to start
  • Multiple timer output modes
Features
Read full description

Keep track of time without being distracted by the device! Simple and easy timer that repeats at your chosen interval. FEATURES - Vibration, if sound is off. - Works in the background. - 3 timer output modes: intervals, total time, countdown. - You can cancel or pause the timer with help of a notification. - Quick Start from icon. - Shake To Start - can be enabled in settings. - Prevent Lockscreen - another useful setting, the screen will not lock, while the timer is running. USE CASES Here is a list of known use cases based on the real feedback: Fitness and health: - Stretching - Stationary bicycle (interval training) - On a treadmill - For HIIT - Jogging - Timed medication - Boxing Cooking - While frying potatoes - Roasting steaks - Checking an over or a grill to prevent burning Learning & science - Foreign language learning - As a lab timer - Periodic data collection - Speech training - Presentation timing Other - Mindfulness - Communication - To have a sense of time flying away :) HELP Q: Why the timer doesn't work in the background? A: You should allow notifications. Q: How to turn off the sound and turn on the vibration? A: On the device, turn the Silent Mode on. (Side Switch) Q: Alert is limited for 5 seconds! A: Go to Settings app, then Periodic Timer > Notifications > Banner Style > Persistent. Q: How to switch the Timer Output Mode? A: To switch the Output Mode touch the timer display at the top of the screen. Q: What is Shake To Start for? A: Shake To Start setting allows to start/cancel the timer by shaking the device. Thus, you don't touch the screen, what can be useful while cooking, for example. In order for this mode to work, the app should be open. If you still have questions or suggestions, you can visit the support page (https://goo.gl/forms/pggVBcaBxdW85EGE3), the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/PeriodicTimer/) or you can email me (periodictimer.sup@gmail.com). If you like the app - please, rate it!

Screenshots

Interval Timer Alarm1 screens
Periodic Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against Interval Timer Alarm's 1. Periodic Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). Interval Timer Alarm's advantage is iOS requirement (15 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Interval Timer Alarm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Periodic Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 167 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Interval Timer Alarm's written reviews are positive against 52% of Periodic Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer Alarm ships an update every 11 months, Periodic Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Interval Timer Alarm versus Periodic Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval Timer AlarmPeriodic Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (18 ratings)4.1 (167 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.6% of reviews52.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings18167 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB23 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperSHIGETO TAKAGIVladimir Kelin

Customer experience

Interval Timer Alarm

All ratings18 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive48.6%
Neutral24.3%
Negative27.0%

Periodic Timer

All ratings167 ratings
Positive75.4%
Neutral6.0%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral10.7%
Negative37.1%

Bugs and requests

Interval Timer Alarm

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Periodic Timer

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Sound/notifications fail to trigger despite settings enabled
  • Timer cancels when phone is shaken or moved
  • Vibration doesn't work when screen is locked or off
  • App crashes on launch (especially after updates)
  • Watch app crashes or doesn't function
Show 7 more
  • Notifications inconsistent on Apple Watch
  • Timer speed inaccurate (runs too fast)
  • App won't open after deletion and reinstall
  • Upgrade popup spams every second, making app unusable
  • Heart rate monitor stays active, draining battery
  • Vibration doesn't work on silent mode
  • Watch green light stays on continuously

Requested features

15 requests
  • Adjustable sound volume and custom alert sounds
  • Customizable vibration patterns
  • Settings menu for user preferences
  • Ability to add notes/labels to timers
  • Seconds-only timer option
Show 10 more
  • Simple countdown timer (non-repeating)
  • Separate exercise and rest period intervals
  • Start timer at specific time of day
  • Disable sound option for silent vibration-only mode
  • Prevent screen lock while timer is running
  • Apple Watch vibration support
  • Seconds increment option (not just minutes)
  • Better Apple Watch complications and integration
  • Free trial period before purchase requirement
  • Disable shake-to-cancel functionality

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Interval Timer Alarm

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99
None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Interval Timer Alarm free?
Interval Timer Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer Alarm or Periodic Timer?
Periodic Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer Alarm averages 3.9 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Periodic Timer averages 4.1 from 167 ratings.
Do Interval Timer Alarm or Periodic Timer have ads?
Interval Timer Alarm shows ads; Periodic Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer Alarm or Periodic Timer?
Interval Timer Alarm ships an update every 11 months, and Periodic Timer every 2 months. Most recently, Interval Timer Alarm was updated on September 21, 2026 and Periodic Timer on September 24, 2026.

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